Walking through the grocery store lately you might have had a weird feeling. A little bit of déjà vu. You stop near the entrance, where you used to grab a movie for the night. And you realize something is missing. That big, bright red box. It makes you wonder, is Redbox still in business in 2025? It’s a fair question to ask.
The short answer is yes. But it’s a completely different beast than the one you remember. The days of grabbing a cheap DVD along with your milk and eggs, well those days are mostly gone. The company has changed a lot, trying to keep up with how we all watch stuff now.
It’s not the Redbox of 2015 anymore that’s for sure. The whole movie-watching world has been turned on its head. And Redbox had to either change or just disappear completely. So they changed. A lot.
What Happened to All the Redbox Kiosks?
So the first thing you probably noticed is the missing kiosks. They used to be everywhere. Outside of every supermarket, every pharmacy, every corner store almost. Now finding one is like a little scavenger hunt. It’s a bit of a surprise when you actually see one.
The decline of the physical kiosk was something that was bound to happen. People just stopped buying DVDs and Blu-rays like they used to. Why go out to a box when Netflix or Hulu is right there on your TV, you know? It’s just easier. The convenience factor totally flipped.
Then the company that owned Redbox went through some financial troubles. They even filed for bankruptcy which is a big deal. They were eventually bought out by a company called Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. Yes, like the books. It sounds weird but they own a bunch of streaming stuff.
This new ownership is considered to be the main reason for the big shift. They were less interested in the physical boxes and much more interested in building a streaming service. So they started getting rid of the kiosks that weren’t making a lot of money which was most of them.
So, How Does Redbox Make Money Now in 2025?
With fewer kiosks, you gotta ask how they’re even a company anymore. Their whole game has changed. They are now playing in the crowded and messy world of digital streaming. It’s a tough place to be. But they have a few different things going on.
It is their multiple streams of income that are keeping them afloat, for now. They’ve spread their bets around a little bit, instead of putting everything on those physical boxes.
The Kiosk Isn’t Totally Dead
First off, the kiosks aren’t 100% extinct. They are still around, but they are much, much harder to find. The new strategy is to only have them in places where they are almost guaranteed to be used. Think big, busy supermarkets or maybe some dollar stores.
The movies you find in them are normally the big new releases. You won’t find a deep catalog of old classics. It’s for people who want to see the latest blockbuster for a buck or two and don’t want to buy it digitally. A very small group of people now.
Redbox On Demand & Free Live TV
This is their main thing now. Redbox has its own streaming platform. It’s split into a couple of parts. There’s Redbox On Demand, where you can rent or buy movies digitally, kind of like you would on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV.
The other part, and maybe the more interesting one, is their free streaming service. It’s what people call a “FAST” service. Free Ad-Supported Television. Just like Pluto TV or Tubi. You can watch a bunch of movies and TV channels for free, but you have to watch commercials.
What you can watch on there includes:
Older movies from a bunch of different studios.
Some TV shows from years ago.
“Redbox Originals,” which are usually lower-budget movies they helped finance.
Live-streaming channels that play one type of content 24/7.
Selling Movies and TV Shows
This ties into their On Demand service. They have a digital store. So if you really love a movie you can buy a digital copy from them forever. The prices are generally similar to what you’d find on other digital stores.
This is a tough market to compete in because so many people are already used to using services from Apple, Amazon, or Google. But it’s another way for them to make a little money from people who still visit their website or app.
Is It Still Worth Using Redbox?
Okay, so they’re still around. But should you even bother? It really depends on what you’re looking for. The answer is a solid “maybe.” It’s not a simple yes or no anymore.
If you’re one of the few people who still has a DVD or Blu-ray player and you happen to live near one of the remaining kiosks, then yeah. Renting a brand new movie for a couple of dollars is still a pretty good deal. It’s cheaper than renting it online.
For the streaming side, it’s a different story. If you’re tired of paying for five different subscription services, their free ad-supported platform is a decent option. You can find some hidden gems on there without paying a dime. You just have to be okay with ads interrupting your movie.
But if you’re comparing their free service to Netflix or Max, it’s no contest. The library is smaller and older. You’re not going to find the big, popular new shows on Redbox’s free service. It’s a supplement, not a replacement.
The Future of Redbox: Can It Survive?
This is the big question, isn’t it? The future for Redbox is, to be honest, a little murky. Surviving as a small fish in the giant ocean of streaming is incredibly hard. They are competing with companies that have billions and billions of dollars to spend on new shows and movies.
Their survival will probably depend on how well they can serve a specific audience. The budget-conscious viewer. The person who doesn’t mind ads to save money. The person who feels a little bit of nostalgia for the old way of watching movies.
The Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment backing gives them access to more content, which helps. But they need to find a way to stand out. Maybe through exclusive content or by making their app super easy to use. It’s a tough road ahead for the once-mighty red box. It’s a real fight for attention in a world with too many choices.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Redbox in 2025
1. So for real, is Redbox still in business?
Yes, Redbox is absolutely still in business in 2025. However, it’s not primarily a DVD kiosk company anymore. It has shifted its focus to digital streaming, offering free ad-supported TV and movies, along with digital rentals and purchases.
2. Can I still rent physical movies from a Redbox kiosk?
You can, but it’s much harder. The company has removed thousands of its kiosks. The remaining ones are typically located in very high-traffic areas like major grocery chains. You’ll need to use their website or app to find a location near you.
3. Is Redbox streaming free?
Part of it is. Redbox offers a Free Live TV and On Demand section that is supported by ads, similar to services like Tubi or Pluto TV. They also have a separate On Demand service where you can pay to rent or buy newer movies digitally.
4. Why can’t I find a Redbox kiosk near me anymore?
The main reason is the company’s change in strategy after it was acquired by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. They consolidated their kiosk network, keeping only the most profitable locations, while pushing customers toward their new digital platforms.
5. Who owns Redbox now?
Redbox is owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. They acquired the company after Redbox’s previous parent company faced financial difficulties. This new ownership has been the driving force behind the move away from physical media and toward streaming.
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Key Takeaways
Redbox is Still Operating: The company didn’t go out of business, it just changed its business model in a major way.
Kiosks are Rare: Physical DVD rental kiosks still exist, but their numbers have been drastically reduced. They are not the company’s main focus.
Streaming is the New Focus: Redbox’s primary business now is its digital platform, which includes a free, ad-supported streaming service and a digital store for movie rentals and purchases.
New Ownership, New Direction: The acquisition by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment pushed the company to prioritize streaming over physical rentals.
It’s a Budget Option: Whether you use a rare kiosk or their free streaming service, Redbox is positioned as a low-cost alternative for entertainment in a very competitive market.
